Lawmakers Back Bill To Give Principals More Power
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - Pointing to a need for change at failing public schools, a House panel has approved a proposal that would create a pilot program to allow school principals more autonomy in running schools.
The bill, filed by Rep. Manny Diaz, Jr. of Hialeah, was approved by the House K-12 Subcommittee as a first step toward consideration during the 2016 legislative session.
The bill would allow up to three school districts to participate in the pilot program, with each district assigning new principals to three failing middle or high schools. The principals would be given increased authority over such issues as staffing and budget decisions.
Also, the bill would provide $10,000 for each principal. That money could be used to boost the principal's salary or could be a discretionary fund for school needs.
Diaz said the bill would address schools that have been "failing over and over and over again" and need changes.
"Careful has not worked in these instances, so we need to do something different," he said.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.